Whether you’re gearing up for a week-long trip to Yosemite, living out of your car in the parking lot at Mt. Hood or just sleeping in a tent in your backyard, we know many skiers opt to go camping—in all of its various forms—once the summer months come rolling through. From the essentials, like sleeping bags, tents and cooking systems, to gadgets that will make your next camp site look like a living room from the future, we’ve rounded-up our favorite products of the summer, below.
Apollo Phone Case, PHOOZY — $29.99
For ultimate phone protection, look no further than the NASA-inspired PHOOZY. Like putting your phone in its own spacesuit, the PHOOZY Apollo helps regulate your mobile device’s temperature with its patent-pending chromium thermal barrier that reflects more than 90 percent of solar radiation. Durable ripstop material on the exterior and a padded interior also protect your phone from inevitable drops along the way as well as giving it the ability to float if it’s ever to fall in water. In summer or winter, the PHOOZY will protect your phone and ensure the battery stays charged longer. This product comes with two big thumbs up from the team at FREESKIER.
Treeline sunglasses, Sunski — $89
Sunski makes a promise to you: Polarized lenses come in every pair; the brand’s flexible frames will fit like a glove; every sale supports the planet; and each pair comes with a lifetime warranty. If you don’t like the fit, feel or color, you can return or exchange ’em in the blink of an eye. These are a stylish, high-quality sunglass at an incredibly affordable price point. There’s a lot to love, here.
Panga Backpack, YETI — $299.99
Merging the proven durability and waterproofing of its Panga Duffel with a backpack design, YETI hits the nail on the head with this all-new offering. Ideal for day trips on the river or for extra peace of mind if the weather were to start acting up, this backpack boasts 28 liters of storage space and can be easily carried with the included (and removable) chest straps and waist belt. River crossings and rain storms, meet your match.
Ultra Fastpack III GTX, The North Face — $150
The Ultra Fastpack III GTX is an super light, mega-supportive hiking and trail running shoe designed to tackle every type of backcountry adventure, e.g. long, dirty days in the backcountry or a quick dash up your favorite local trail. Lace these puppies up and you’ll immediately notice a spring in your step; that’s thanks to The North Face’s new FoastFoam midsole support underfoot, which is designed to maximize energy return with every step. A TPU-coated woven mesh exterior protects these kicks against trail debris and scuffing, while the waterproof Gore-Tex exterior repels water, too. For hikers and runners seeking a responsive, comfortable, low-cut shoe, look no further.
Q-Core SLX, Big Agnes — $139.95-$249.95
The sleeping pad is a key ingredient to a successful camping trip. Most importantly, it provides a barrier between you and the ground, allowing you to retain your body heat and stay warm throughout the night. It also brings a bit of plush, homey comfort to the backcountry. The Q-CORE SLX is the whole package. It’s rated down to 15 degrees Fahrenheit, weighs a mere 635 grams (in 20″ x 72″ size) and has a double ripstop construction that significantly ups its durability. Dual valves, a one-way inflation valve and one for quick deflation, make it incredibly easy to set up and put away, too.
FirePit, BioLite — $199.95
Because regular campfires were just too smokey, the innovators at BioLite are introducing a smokeless wood and charcoal burning firepit for this summer camping season. Holding up to four standard sized logs of firewood and utilizing a unique fan-powered airflow system, the FirePit efficiently burns wood so you get the most out of your fuel supply. Hungry? Just lift the grate, add charcoal and enjoy a smokeless grilling experience. Bluetooth enabled so you can adjust the fan speed and change the size of your fire, the FirePit also boasts a USB port/charging station for all of your technological needs. If you can carry a cooler to your campsite, you can carry one of these badboys… and we recommend you do.
SkyRise Rooftop Tent, Yakima X POLER — $1,599.99
Yakima’s rooftop tents are a surefire way to bring camping with you wherever the road may lead. Sleeping up to three adults in size medium, the SkyRise is constructed using the same durable, lightweight materials as traditional tents (it comes with a rainfly, too) and offers a 2.5-inch thick wall-to-wall padding on the floor for ensured comfort. Its tool-less vehicle mounting system also allows for super easy installation and pitching the tent is as easy as unfolding it. Extra style points also comes standard with this version made in collaboration with POLER.
Skeletool, Leatherman — $59.95
A 7-in-1 tool extravaganza, Leatherman’s Skeletool is a must-have around the campsite. Weighing only 5 ounces, this multi-tool fits comfortably in the palm of your hand and can be stored easily in your pants pocket or a backpack. Despite its compact design, the Skeletool offers a stainless steel combo blade, pliers, bit driver, removable pocket clip and carabiner/bottle opener for repairs on-the-go.
Cairn XL Smart Lantern, Lander — $99.99
This app-enabled lantern and powerbank is the brightest and most rugged in the Cairn line and is equally as versatile. Easily turn the 350 lumen LED light on/off, adjust dimming settings, set timers for automatic on/off or change the color of the light via your bluetooth-conntect phone. Also, with Lander’s sturdy tethered anchor system, hang it up however you’d like. One other nifty feature that helps save battery life is the lantern’s proximity sensor, which allows auto on/off and dimming based on your distance from the light.
Original Puffy Blanket, Rumpl — $99.00
The Original Puffy Blanket resembles a premium sleeping bag, i.e. it’s supple, smooth to the touch and packed with warmth. Unlike a sleeping bag, however, this offering doesn’t zip up. Instead, it’s best used to drape around oneself and it comes in handy in a multitude of situations. Take, for example, a cold night around the campfire: You’re not going to sit in your camping chair wrapped up in your sleeping bag, are you? It’s constructed of synthetic insulation and weather- and dirt-resistant 20D ripstop nylon with a DWR coating. When you do dirty it up over time, just throw it in the wash and she’ll be looking good as new. It comes with a stuff-sack and is available in eight different colors. If you’re anything like us, you’ll start to bring this thing with you basically everywhere you go: camping, car, boat, hut trips, back porch, couch, your own bed, etc.
Big Turtle Shell Ultra, Outdoor Tech — $107 via Kickstarter
Updated heading into summer 2018, Outdoor Tech’s Big Turtle Shell Ultra (BTS) bluetooth speaker is primed for outdoor entertainment. In its latest iteration, this bit of rugged tech offers a built-in powerbank for on-the-go charging, a lantern for setting the mood around your campsite and omnidirectional audio blasting capabilities, which is a fancy way of saying that the speaker fills the area around you with sound instead of pointing it at you, a trait of traditional “brick” speakers. This speaker is fully waterproof, so there’s no need to worry when Mother Nature brings the thunder and the rain; it offers you 12 hours of play time on a single charge; and it has the ability to pair with other speakers to increase aural awesomeness. Visit the Kickstarter to get yours today.
Luminoodle Light Rope, Power Practical— $19.99
It’s waterproof, flexible and bright (180 lumens) and can be strung up or wrapped around just about anything. As far as camping goes, we recommend this piece for the purposes of illuminating the interior of a tent, the bed of your truck or boosting the overall aura of a campsite—just like those Christmas lights you strung around your dorm room back in college. It’s usable as a string light and also as a lantern—just stuff the “noodle” into its translucent stuff-sack and hang ‘er up. It comes in a five-foot and 10-foot length ($29.99 and 360 lumens) and is compatible with any USB power source for easy recharging.
Sub 1 Camping Chair, Leki — $109.95
This camp chair blurs the lines of backcountry and car-camping use. Weighing only 940 grams, this bad boy can accompany you on smaller backpacking trips without sacrificing comfort and stability. This chair was almost over-engineered: It boasts lightweight fiberglass reinforced plastic joints, a mesh seat for superior ventilation on summer nights and high-strength aluminum shafts to support all shapes and sizes of campfire-goers. The carrying case quickly fastens under the base of the chair to hold your phone, snacks or whatever supplies the particular occasion demands. The most crucial feature is the included cup holder that attaches on either side to ensure no party fouls are committed. We thought we’d never be this impressed by a camp chair.
Hyper Kazoo Sleeping Bag, The North Face — $359.00
The North Face’s Hyper Kazoo is a true three-season sleeping bag, ideal for summer camping trips yet warm enough to take you all the way through winter with its 15-degree Fahrenheit rating. Thermobaffle technology, which weaves baffle chambers from a single piece of fabric instead of stitching multiple pieces together, increases warmth and durability while keeping weight savings at a premium. Feel confident bringing this sleeping bag on your next adventure, wherever that may be.
Multi Compact Titanium Cookset, Snow Peak — $95.95
Ideal for two campers, Snow Peak’s stackable and packable compact cookset features titanium construction for ultimate durability and weight savings. You’ll be the Bobby Flay of the high country using this set of pots and pans. For an excursion where you’ll be putting meal prep at a premium, get your hands on a set of cookware from Snow Peak.
TechNest Hammock, Eagles Nest Outfitters — $94.95
Lightweight, packable and tough enough to last, the TechNest two-person hammock is ideal for campsite relaxation. 40D Ripstop Nylon ensures this thing will withstand scratches against rocks and trees while maintaining breathability in the muggiest summer months. Use with any of ENO’s accessories—like mosquito nets, insulation and string lights—to customize your relaxation experience.
Kodiak Plus 2.0. Outdoor Tech — $29.95
To keep your batteries charged, keep the Kodiak 2.0 by your side. This rugged, waterproof charging dock is built to last multiple days on a single charge. Featuring a 6-LED light for emergencies or use around the campsite and a fuel gauge to keep track of how much charge is left, the Kodiak 2.0 is a product that proves useful in a variety of ways. We guarantee you’ll feel confident venturing deeper with the Kodiak 2.0 in tow, knowing that all of your electronic devices will stay charged through the duration of your next adventure.
Narrow Mouth Water Bottle, Nalgene — $10.99
It’s every outdoor enthusiast’s best friend: the Nalgene water bottle. With 32 ounces of capacity for ultimate hydration, this narrow mouth version makes drinking from the bottle hassle-free; no more spilling all over yourself like a fool. Offered in a variety of colorways, boasting BPA-free construction and the epic durability that Nalgene water bottles are known for, this item is about to become your best friend at the campsite, on the road and everywhere in between.
Puffy Pant, Goldwin — $399
Here are the totally packable, utterly comfortable, undeniably stylish puffy pants you never knew you needed. Japanese brand Goldwin blends style and function throughout its entire line of mountain-inspired streetwear and these pants are no exception. With 60 grams of Kodenshi insulation and an ergonomic fit, these pants also pack into a sleeping bag-style stuff sack that comes with your purchase.
